Another Saddle, another Saddlefitter

Even though I tried not to get my hopes up it happend anyway and of course I ended up being a little disappointed.

The saddlefitter was a very nice girl. She seemed knowledgeable enough but somehow they all seem to be trained to not commit to a saddle too much.

She brought a fair number of saddles and put on a few. Mostly saddles I've tried before but also a few I always wanted to try (like a Passier Grand Gilbert, which was way too long for Crispin). The saddle I was most curious about was the "Sommer Passion" (stupid name). I've read a lot of good stuff about Sommer saddles. Good quality, nice to sit, very good to change (gullet and flocking) decent price (by no means cheap).

Sommer "Passion" 17,5 seat, 31,5 gullet;

We put the Sommer on an it didn't look too bad. I rode and it felt really nice. Only problem: the rear pannels seem to come up a little when there is no weight in the saddle (i.e. when I posted the trot) or when Crispin was streching (with me on the ground).

The fitter said that this wasn't too bad, not ideal of course but she also said  that Chrispin had no muscles there yet and where the saddle could rest on. I'm so not sure about that (not about the lack of muscles, he has none) but the rest of it.

She left the saddle and I can try it out for a few days. Check it on the lunge and maybe find someone to video me. I definitely need to think about it a litttel longer. *sigh*

Next please...

One advantage of moving to a new place is that it also means meeting new people and new people know new saddle fitters.

On thursday another fitter is coming out. They have a very nice homepage and the girl on the phone seemed like she knew what she was doing. She seemed to have some options for us but I don't want to jinx anything so I won't say any more until then. I just wanted to tell you, I haven't given up just yet. ;-D

What a surprise! *not*

Well, after the Prestige saddle finally arrived (and the saddle fitter had the time to actually come out) last thursday, it's already history.

It wasn't too bad, but the shape of the tree just wasn't quite the right fit. The worst part was the fitter. Not the same guy who came out the first time, this time it was the shop owner himself. And what an a** he was!

He slapped on the saddle, basically didn't talk to me at all, watched me ride without saying anything, grabbed the saddle afterward and told me, with a little more stuffing in the back the saddle would probably fit, but that I had to agree to buy the saddle before he could make any changes. Then he left, taking the saddle.

I didn't even got a chance to really check the fit myself or to take pictures. If he would have been a little nicer I might have considered the saddle, but this way. No, thanks. I pass.

So, once again I'm back at square one. *yay*

Wait a little longer

Six weeks ago I ordered the saddle. They said It would take 5-6 weeks. I called today. No saddel yet and it will probably take another 10 days (which will make it 7-8 weeks NOT 5-6). *sigh*

I can't say I'm surprised but I am, however, disappointed. 

Look what I found!!!

Well, ok. I didn't find it all by myself. My neighbours husband tipped me off. But look at this beautiful saddle pad embroided with the welsh dragon!!!

I need another saddle pad as much as I need a second belly button but I couldn't resist this one, isn't it just lovely?!

It seems like Crispin is adjusting just fine to his new home and the new routines. He does have more energy now that he spends his nights in a stall but so far all is good. I lunged or free lunged him every day (except monday and tuesday when it was just way too hot) and he is starting to get used to the new indoor and outdoor rings.

Some people at the new barn already told me that he looks a little like a welsh pony, or a welsh cob cross. Well, thank you! ;-)

Also, the saddle I've been waiting for should be here by next week. I just hope Crispin will be ready and calm enough to be ridden by then, so that I can actually try it.

The new Barn

Yesterday was the last day the Offenstall existed, the new stalls were finished last week and ready for the horses to move in. That meant it was time for us to move on.

During the last two weeks I've worked with Crispin on loading and yesterday he went into the trailer fine. The trip was short and uneventful. Nacho, Fly and Jarl, his old buddies from the Offenstall seemed to remember him (and he them) but he still was very excited and nervous when he first got off the trailer.

I put him in his new stall and he calmed down quickly. The two horses next to him, a little mare and Jarl were very unfriendly at first but Crispin didn't seem to mind too much. He liked the stall well enough but later, when I left he tried to come with me. Like: "Ok, this was alright, can we go home now?"

Today he went out with his new (or partly new) herd the first time, which was pretty uneventful. It was clear that he still knew Nacho and Fly and remembered that they were dominant, so he was cautious around them. There were two new horses he will be turned out with. Both were friendly and the introduction went smoothly. Only Jarl is still a little unfriendly. I think it is because in the past Crispin was the dominant one of the two (and will be again I think once he's settled in at the new place) and Jarl doesn't like that idea.

This is him in is his new stall. He still seems a little confused and not convinced that this is going to be permanent but he'll learn soon enough.

To make then transition from 24 hour turnout to a box stall a little easier for him I got him a big hay net to keep him busy.

...going treeless...

Not something I've ever expected me to do (or something I'd consider longterm) but it seems like a good idea for now: I went treeless with Crispin.

A friend at the barn has a horse that has a very short and curvy back and after trying many saddles she decided to go treeless with this horse. She bought a "Torsion" treeless saddle and is still very happy with this choice today (the horse in question has some health issues and is only ridden very lightly). She offered to let me borrow her saddle now and then.

About a month ago I signed up to ride with a trainer that only comes in once a month. I'd hoped I'd have a saddle by now, but that obviously was wishful thinking. So, what to do now? Ride with the slightly pinching, slightly too long jumping saddle or don't ride at all? For one thing, I really don't want to use (and have not used for a long time) the jumping saddle. On the other hand, I really, really, really want to take this lesson on monday.

I decided to give the treeless saddle a chance. It fits Crispin (well, basically it's a bareback pad with stirrups, so why shouldn't it) it doesn't pinch, it doesn't slip, it's comfortable to sit. I've ridden in it twice so far and Crispin seemed happy with it. Of course I will eat dirt if he decides to act up because there is nothing on the saddle to help me help hold on, and there is also nothing on this saddle to keep the pressure off Crispins vertebrae (the main issues I have with treeless saddles) but I'm also sure that I will immensley enjoy the lesson on monday in this saddle.

I keep you posted...